I drive so much that I have begun listening to books on cd. (I keep calling them “books on tape” and they laugh at me at Barnes & Noble.) I also spend an inordinate amount of time on the phone while driving, too, but am on this New Age empowerment kick and working hard to keep my focus on thinking great positive thoughts, replacing old programs with new belief systems and learning ideas I’d not heard of before, so am listening more than talking.

I wrote briefly about The Secret, but when I got The Secret on cd, I really began to incorporate the values (if you will) into my day to day life. The cd (the book) is much more spirituality oriented than the dvd (an argument frequently heard on the Internet is The Secret is greedy), although for anyone even semi-evolved, you can translate “abundance” to much more than just monetary value.

With each segment of my day’s movement… getting out of bed, getting in the shower, putting on my face, getting dressed, getting in the car to go to work, driving to the office, etc… I impart my intention.

“As I get in the shower, let me remember all the reasons to be grateful for my life this morning. I will name as many as I can.”

“I intend to be safe on my way to work and I will smile at the other drivers and enjoy the drive.” This allows me to keep it positive and not speak in the negative… like, “I will not be mad at the other slow drivers,” would not work since it uses negative language and the mind uses the words – period – and any parent already knows this!

We had a meeting of several midwives the other day, some of whom have had communication challenges together. Before the meeting began, I asked that we all think about our intention for the goal of the meeting… a picture of what we wanted in our minds… and that we all speak peacefully to each other, that we all listen clearly and openly to each other and that the end result be what each of us wanted for ourselves. (I said this haltingly and nervously because I’d never publicly asked an intention before. I suspect it will get easier with time. No. I will continue asking intentions of myself and groups and will be strong of voice and clarity. How’s that?) smile

This is leading somewhere. And not just to my existential awakening.

So, I listened to the Law of Attraction’s 5th cd several times (the best of the 5, in my opinion… all about segment intending) and then put in the next book of Abraham’s entitled The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent and while it is fine, it was nothing like the first one. In fact, after about 3 cd’s into it, I was bored silly from what would have been seconds per page if I were reading it. If you love Abraham’s stuff, read this book, don’t get it on audio.

The moment was ripe for me to put in The Four Agreements.

I’d been strongly encouraged to read the book after my November 2005 blog difficulties and benefited greatly from it. But, as with many self-help epiphanies, with time, the glow faded and the book’s message melded into all the other words running rampant in my head.

For those that don’t know what The Four Agreements are, they are:

Be Impeccable With Your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Don't Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Don't Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

Always Do Your Best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

How could those words have gotten lost? How, indeed.

By an intricate set of circumstances, I found myself at the Tibetan prayer flag-covered doorstep of a woman carrying the child who would be responsible for one of the most profound spiritual shifts I expect to have experienced in this lifetime.

Is it time to tell the story? I’m thinking yes. It may take some time to unfold... please know I am writing. Thank you for your midwife-style patience.